Mahakumbh 2025: With the Mahakumbh 2025 underway, the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced a significant increase in the number of flights to Prayagraj to manage the surge in demand for air travel during the festival, particularly on its peak days. This move aims to ensure better accessibility and help control airfares for devotees and tourists visiting the city.

In an official statement, Ram Mohan Naidu, the Union Aviation Minister, shared that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has instructed airlines to boost capacity and offer enough flights to accommodate the influx of people, helping to avoid unnecessary fare hikes.

According to the DGCA’s post on X (formerly Twitter), 81 additional flights have been approved for January 2025, raising the total number of flights connecting Prayagraj to 132. This will help meet the growing demand for air travel to the city, making it easier for visitors to attend the Mahakumbh.

“The introduction of these extra flights will relieve the pressure on airfares and improve overall travel accessibility for pilgrims and tourists,” the statement read.

However, this announcement follows concerns over rising airfares for flights to Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh, with some passengers facing unusually high prices.

To address this, the DGCA held a meeting on 23 January 2025 with airline representatives to discuss ways to increase flight availability and ensure fair pricing.

It’s important to note that airfares are not directly regulated by the government. Airlines set their prices based on their operational needs but must still comply with the Aircraft Rules, 1937, which allow for some oversight.

Murlidhar Mohol, the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, explained in the Rajya Sabha that while the government avoids strict fare regulation to maintain market competition, it remains watchful of price fluctuations. The government steps in when needed to redistribute capacity from one sector to another, ensuring that passengers are not charged excessive fares.

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During the Mahakumbh, Prayagraj Airport has already seen a remarkable increase in traffic. The airport handled 30,172 passengers and operated 226 flights in just one week, with over 5,000 passengers flying on a single day for the first time. Additionally, the introduction of night flights now ensures 24/7 connectivity to the city.

The government has also expanded Prayagraj’s airport, which is now directly connected to 17 cities across India—up from just eight cities in December 2024. This growth in connectivity, with direct and connecting flights reaching 26 cities, including Srinagar and Visakhapatnam, underscores the city’s role as a key hub for the Mahakumbh.

By increasing flight availability and focusing on fair pricing, the government hopes to ease the travel experience for millions of people attending the Mahakumbh in 2025.